Graduate Certificate (Gr. Cert.) Financial Analysis (15 credits)

Program Requirements

The 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Financial Analysis offers a comprehensive introduction to finance. Focusing on core professional competencies in financial analysis, it also provides flexibility in alternative career directions within the Finance sector, such as Investment Management, Financial Technology, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing. Successful completion of this program allows students to write the Level I CFA exam.

Corequisite Course

(0-3 credits)

• CMS2 500 Mathematics for Management (3 credits) *

  Offered by: Adaptive & Integrated Learning (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  Management Science (CCE) : Basic mathematics needed for business applications, including graphs of functions, series summation, mathematics of finance, annuity, discounted cash flow, internal rate of return, permutations, combinations, maxima and minima of functions with business applications in optimization, introductory statistics and probability

  Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

  Instructors: Kamali, Vahid (Fall)

  • Prerequisite: CMSC 000

  • Note: "Mathematics for Management" must be completed in the first semester of the Diploma in Management program.

* or the Exemption by Examination Test

Required Courses (12 credits)

• CCFA 600 Ethics in Finance (1.5 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Study of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. Topics include professionalism and the integrity of capital markets, duties to clients and employers, investment analysis and recommendations, conflicts of interest, and responsibilities of CFA members and candidates.

  Terms: Winter 2025

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CCFA 500.

• CCFA 601 Financial Analysis Tools (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Study of statistical and economics tools used in the analysis of investments and other financial aspects of businesses. Topics include statistical concepts and methodologies, such as statistical inference and linear regression, as well as micro- and macroeconomics concepts, such as the analysis of demand and supply, understanding business cycles and international trade, and the effects of fiscal and monetary policy

  Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

  Instructors: Lima, Eduardo (Fall)

  • Prerequisites: CMS2 500 or exemption by examination

• CCFA 615 Financial Statement Analysis (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Examination of accounting standards and financial reporting principles in investment decision making from both the internal and external perspectives of a corporation. Study of the interplay between the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement, and examination of financial statement elements, such as inventories, long-lived assets, income taxes, and long-term liabilities, contrasting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).

  Terms: Fall 2024

  Instructors: El Gindi, Shahenda (Fall)

  • Prerequisites: CMS2 500 or exemption by examination.

  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken CCFA 515.

• CCFA 620 Contemporary Finance 1 (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Comprehensive overview of corporations and other businesses from the point of view of internal and external financial decisions, including how the risk and return measures associated with businesses are used in corporate decision making and in assembling investment portfolios. Introduction to behavioural factors in investments, the management of risk for the enterprise, and the emerging field of financial technology.

  Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

  Instructors: Lima, Eduardo (Fall)

  • Prerequisites: CMS2 500 or exemption by examination.

  • Not open to students who have taken CCFA 520.

• CCFA 627 Financial Risk Management (1.5 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Examination of financial risk management techniques that can be used by investors and businesses alike. Topics include derivatives, alternative investments, and the value of these assets.

  Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • Prerequisites: CMS2 500 or exemption by examination.

  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken CCFA 527.

Complementary Courses (3 credits)

3 credits from the following:

• CCFA 629 Fixed-Income and Equity Investments (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Examination of the characteristics of fixed-income and equity investments, their markets and indexes. Topics include yield and valuation measures, risk factors and drivers of fixed-income securities, industry and company analysis, and equity valuation models.

  Terms: Fall 2024

  Instructors: Campbell, Jason (Fall)

  • Prerequisites: CMS2 500 or exemption by examination.

  • Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken CCFA 529.

• CCFA 639 ESG Investing (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Examination of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Study of the benefits of using ESG factors in investment decision making, from both a portfolio performance and a sustainability standpoint, and the integration of ESG factors in portfolio construction and management.

  Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

• CCFA 660 Fintech and the Financial System (3 credits)

  Offered by: Administration & Governance (School of Continuing Studies)

  Overview

  CCFA : Study of financial technology (Fintech) and the impact of the digitization of financial products and services on the structure of financial markets and the traditional role of financial institutions. A comprehensive introduction to Fintech detailing the business models of Fintech disruptors in various industries in the financial sector.

  Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

  Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • Prerequisites: CCCS 620 or CCFA 601 or exemption by examination.

Or another 600-level course offered by the School of Continuing Studies and approved by the academic unit.